Pine-Richland

School District
________________

Elementary
Program of Studies

________________
>Hance Elementary School
5518 Molnar Dr., Gibsonia, PA 15044

>Richland Elementary School

3811 Bakerstown Rd., Gibsonia, PA 15044

>Wexford Elementary School

250 Brown Rd., Wexford, PA 15090
 ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM
Pine-Richland School District

Mission Statement
The mission of the Pine-Richland School District is to focus on learning for every student every day.

Vision Statement
The vision of the Pine-Richland School District is a picture developed by a student that captures the
mission and provides a vivid reminder of the challenge and opportunity of our schools.

In narrative language, the image conveys the following:

Learning is our primary purpose.

Learning occurs inside and outside the classroom.
Learning is measured as BOTH achievement AND growth.
Learning happens differently for different people so flexibility and variation is needed in the
approach.
Learning requires effort and persistence.
Learning is for all of us and requires the support of everyone (e.g., student, staff, and parents).
Shared Values
The values that guide our actions are based on the PRIDE:
P - Personal Growth
R - Resiliency
I - Innovation
D - Diverse Opportunities
E - Engagement

Personal growth represents a belief in the whole child and development through the years at
Pine-Richland. In addition to academic growth, this value is meant to represent social, emotional,
and physical growth as well. Personal growth can also be applied to the staff.

Resiliency is locally defined as "the ability to adapt well in the face of hard times and build upon
one's strengths". It was adapted from the American Psychological Association. We believe that
students must be equipped to handle success and adversity in their lives.

Innovation represents breakthrough change. Innovation also signals an emphasis on problem

solving and critical thinking. These skills are important for post-high school success.

Diverse opportunities capture the importance of a wide range of choices in academics, athletics,
arts and activities. It acknowledges the fact that students have varied interests. Exposure to a
wide variety of opportunities helps them achieve personal growth and potential areas of future
interest.

Engagement reflects the degree to which students, staff, parents, and community are part of the
school district. It reflects engagement in the classroom for students as well as their connection to
other aspects of student life. For our staff and community, engagement is a critical element of
achieving our goals.

1
Art Education
The primary art curriculum offers a planned sequential curriculum in design, drawing,
painting, printmaking, clay, crafts, and sculpture. A certified art teacher provides students with
opportunities for visual self-expression using a wide variety of tools, materials, and techniques.

Technology
The safe use of technology is used and taught as a tool to
support and enhance classroom learning. The nature of the work is
connected to grade level curriculum and appropriate technology
application. Computers are available for students in each primary
school in the classroom and computer lab. The computer labs in
the primary buildings are all adjacent to the library and there are
networked computers in each classroom. This instruction is
standards driven and integrated with the curriculum. Through the
week there will be open lab times where classroom teachers can
continue to work with students.

English Language Arts

The English Language Arts program encompasses the areas of reading, writing, language,
spelling, and speaking. Students are involved in activities beginning in Kindergarten that are
designed to help them explore their interests, share their experiences, and develop a lifelong love
of reading. Through guided reading the teacher meets several times a week with small, flexible
groups of students with similar reading levels and skills. The goal of guided reading is to
provide research based reading strategies to enhance the students fluency and comprehension.
Students are assessed throughout the school year to assure proper instructional grouping and
reading level. Instruction includes, but is not limited to, development of phonetic skills,
phonemic awareness, word attack skills, vocabulary fluency skills, comprehension skills, writing
process skills, and research.

Library
Children at all grade levels are provided an opportunity to obtain books from the Library
each week. The Library program provides children with experiences with all forms of literature
and basic library skills. Children are instructed in forms of research including information
retrieval. The school Library has a computerized circulation system, computerized card catalog,
and Internet access. Students can also use an electronic catalog search to locate books in the
various libraries.

2
Mathematics
The math program is designed to help prepare students to meet tomorrows challenges.
The primary math program focuses on concept development, computation, problem solving
connected to real-life applications, and communication of mathematical concepts and processes.
The math program is sequential and in clearly defined strands. Technology is used during
instructional time to provide real-life relationships of mathematical concepts.

Beginning in grade 3 there is an additional pathway called the compacted/extended

pathway. Our traditional pathway courses will be referenced as the current pathway. Both the
compacted/extended and current pathways prepare our students to take calculus in high school.
The units planned for each course and the approximate time allotted for each unit are the same.
The compacted/extended pathway courses are built from the foundation of our current courses
with certain topics compacted (shortened or eliminated). This compaction provides our teachers
with opportunities to extend learning opportunities for students who have demonstrated the
ability to quickly understand complex mathematical concepts.

3
Physical Education
The physical education curriculum consists of rhythmical activities, games, relays, skill
development, and athletic games for all students. The program provides activities that encourage
movement, cooperation, physical fitness, and learning skills that can promote a physical life
style. Adaptive/modified activities are provided on an individual basis for students that require
such accommodations. Kindergarten students physical education is integrated within the
curriculum and supplemented with recess.

Science/Health
The Science curriculum exposes students to a wide range of topics in the areas of earth
and space science, life science, and physical science.
Students are presented with opportunities to develop the
skills needed to understand how science works, learn new
concepts, solve problems, and make decisions in todays
technological society. Each grade level also investigates
concepts and scientific phenomena by using concrete
ASSET (Allegheny Schools Science Education &
Technology) hands-on materials. The health program is
designed to motivate students to build healthy lifestyles.
Selected topics include nutrition, discrimination between helpful and harmful drugs, and the
human body.

Social Studies
The social studies program is sequenced to build on major skills and students
understandings. It focuses on people, places, and time. Students understandings are developed
in the areas of geography, history, civics and government, economics, and culture. Map, chart
and graph skills as well as citizenship skills are emphasized at each level.

General Music Instruction

The primary music program provides students with
musical knowledge along with habits and experiences, which will
become an integral part of their adult lives. The primary
curriculum objectives use singing, movement, and instrumental
play to build skills in the musical elements of rhythm, melody, and
harmony. The music curriculum also provides students with
opportunities to appreciate and discriminate among the works of
composers, time periods, and style.

Typical KG and 1-3 Day

The primary schools service students from kindergarten through grade 3. Kindergarten is a half-
day program, and lunch is not served. In addition to the instruction within the classroom,
kindergarten students have library and computer class once per week. Students in grades 1-3
have a 30-minute lunch and a 30-minute recess each day. Additionally, students in grades 1-3
have weekly classes for art, computers, library, music, and physical education.

4
Who To Contact
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child, please contact your childs
homeroom teacher. If you have general questions, you may also contact the office staff. Since
staff members are teaching throughout the day, e-mail may be the most efficient method for
contacting your childs teacher. A staff directory and contact information for the guidance
counselor and front office staff is available for each primary school.

Hance Elementary - staff directory, school counselor, and office contacts

Richland Elementary - staff directory, school counselor, and office contacts
Wexford Elementary - staff directory, school counselor, and office contacts

Question Regarding Who to Contact

Enrollment / New Student Central Office - by appointment only

Transportation / Bus Transportation Coordinator and/or

Student Transportation of America (STA)

Medical School Nurse

Classroom Concern Your childs teacher

Hance Elementary - staff directory
Richland Elementary - staff directory
Wexford Elementary - staff directory

Peer Issues Your childs teacher and the school counselor

Hance Elementary - staff directory and school counselor

Richland Elementary - staff directory and school counselor
Wexford Elementary - staff directory and school counselor

Attendance Office Staff or Guidance Counselor

Hance Elementary - school counselor and office contacts

Richland Elementary - school counselor and office contacts
Wexford Elementary - school counselor and office contacts

Food Service / Lunches General Manager for the Food Service Department

Tutoring Your childs teacher and the school counselor

Hance Elementary - staff directory and school counselor

Richland Elementary - staff directory and school counselor
Wexford Elementary - staff directory and school counselor

Home Access Center Building Representatives

5
Interventions
Each school has a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) team. These teams consist of
teachers, guidance counselors, reading specialists, interventionists, school psychologists, and
principals. Team members meet regularly to discuss students data, progress, and possible
interventions. Depending on students needs, interventions may vary by type, intensity, or
frequency. For example, a Tier II intervention may include small group reading support
facilitated by a reading specialist, but a Tier III intervention may include participation in
additional interventions or programs such as SpellRead, the Sonday System, or Wilson Reading.